What Can Caravaggio Teach You?

ARA’s Caravaggio workshop has been a popular staple in our calendar for good reason. What makes Caravaggio’s technique stand apart from most artists is his dramatic, theatrical approach to lighting.

What you may not know is that this effect was achieved during his early painting stages through the brilliant use of a simple three-step tonal value system of the lightest lights, darkest darks and mid-tones utilizing a dark imprimatura ground.

Musicians, Michelanagelo Caravaggio

By earning this technique, artists at any level can learn first-hand a somewhat different approach to starting a painting that is very efficient and malleable.

Ultimately, learning Caravaggio’s secrets not only expands your painting vocabulary, it brings a fresh perspective to the artistic process that can be applied to any project.

Learn the stages of the Tenebrist approach used by Caravaggio with ARA Senior Instructor Fernando Freitas In the Studios of Carravagio workshop. See you there!